Mickey Guyton made one of the greatest impacts during this week’s ACM Awards. But as we have seen from the media on numerous occasions, important moments for black country artists in the past are being overlooked to score a buzzy headline or tweet.
Completely unexpectedly and totally unannounced, the current king of independent country music dropped a surprise record early Friday morning (9-18) called ‘Long Violent History.’ No, you won’t find a cache of new original songs. This is a record of old traditional fiddle tunes
Look, lobbying for Carrie Underwood among the classic country crowd has always been an uphill battle. But the career of Carrie Underwood is a perfect example of why you can’t paint all pop country with the same broad brush.
A pioneer of Austin’s progressive country scene, as well as respected songwriter and country music personality Doak Snead has passed on. A member of the duo Tom and Billy, and later the leader of the Doak Snead Band, he was a staple and regular opener at Austin’s legendary Armadillo World Headquarters.
Just remember, “It’s only the ACM Awards.” It’s just disappointing that one of their best presentations in perhaps a decade or more—and under difficult circumstances—had to be sullied at the very end by a silly and avoidable decision.
For the three hours of the presentation, we’ll be leaving quips, observations, and kudos where warranted in real time in an effort to make the awards at least somewhat palatable for those of distinguishing tastes, and who know what actual country music is supposed to sound like.
Steve Earle and his backing band The Dukes will be releasing a record of songs written by Steve Earle’s late son Justin Townes Earle who passed away in late August at the age of 38. Though details are still coming together, Steve Earle announced the album on Wednesday, September 16th.
Remember, it’s just the ACM Awards. Less prestigious than the CMAs, and more susceptible to bloc voting and other dubious practices than most any other awards apparatus in country music and beyond, think of it more as a performative infomercial for the mainstream of country music.
He is one of these artists that’s too rough-and-tumble for the Nashville scene, and not polished enough for Texas/Red Dirt. But McWade has garnered a following all his own between the margins, just like fellow songwriter Cody Jinks, who recorded one of McWade’s songs on his recent album ‘The Wanting.’
In yet another sign that the country music revolution is taking hold, Texas-based and completely independent country music singer and songwriter Cody Jinks has officially minted not one, but two Certified Gold singles according to the RIAA. And it doesn’t stop there.
Through the Bro-Country era, Tim McGraw became one of the surprising saving graces in mainstream country music by entering his late career stage doubling back to his roots and releasing quality songs that were surprisingly more country than even some of his earlier stuff, and even finding success with them on the radio.
Just a few weeks after it was announced that Hank Williams Jr. would finally be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame a good decade or more after he should have already been, it was announced this week Bocephus has been booted once again out of his high-profile Monday Night Football theme song spot.
Juliet McConkey’s debut album Disappearing Girl leaves one touched in a way that is lasting, and reminds you why music holds such a dedicated and reverent place in your life in the first place. You’re left spent, and eternally grateful. Hurt never sounded so sweet.
A movie based on the life of country music power couple George Jones and Tammy Wynette first announced in 2016 has now blossomed into a limited series and is moving forward. To be called George & Tammy, and based on the 2013 book The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George written by Georgette Jones.
The 2020 Americana Music Awards will not be happening on Wednesday, September 16th at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville as initially planned. Though the American Music Association had already cancelled their annual AmericanaFest for September months ago, the organization was hoping to move forward with the awards.
With stellar frontman Raul Malo, The Mavericks have dabbled in Spanish language music before. But En Español is the first time the outfit delves into Spanish language material exclusively, both in the form of some new, original compositions, as well as some tasteful covers.
Colter Wall’s latest record ‘Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs’ released on August 28th debuted at #8 on the Billboard Country Albums chart this week, and was #1 in physical sales in country by a wide margin. But this isn’t just about numbers. Colter Wall is doing all of this with your grandpa’s music.
For 30 years Austin has been officially nicknamed the Live Music Capital of the World. However for years the city’s music scene has been experiencing dramatic contraction, and now with a mediocre COVID-19 response, it could lose the moniker.
A film co-starring Dale Watson about a 17-year-old Filipino girl with dreams of making it big in country music will finally be making it’s theatrical debut in over 800 theaters on October 9th. Directed by Filipino-American Diane Paragas and distributed by Sony Pictures, “Yellow Rose” has been a long time coming.
Saving Country Music has been able to confirm from numerous sources that in the weeks leading up to Justin Townes Earle’s death, he had been suffering from a severe case of pneumonia, and had been hospitalized due to the illness. At the time of his death, Earle was still recovering from the condition.
Perhaps now they’ve figured out where Carly Pearce’s place is, which is not trying to keep up with the Maren Morris’s of the world, but to be the more traditional-leaning lady of today’s popular country. That’s what you hear from her new single, released somewhat unexpectedly, called “Next Girl.”
Those who know, know. Those who don’t should work to remedy that, and post haste. We’re talking about whether your musical universe includes any knowledge of New Mexico native Cahalen Morrison, or not. He recently released a new solo record called “Wealth of Sorrow.”
From 2008 to 2018, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosting the CMAs together was one of the few bright spots on a presentation that otherwise offered you a steady diet of bad pop country being crammed down your throat. They won’t be hosting the CMAs again, but they are pairing up for the Grand Ole Opry Saturday night.
Also as part of the reopening, the Hall of Fame is planning a special live streaming event on October 28th, and one they hope will be one of their biggest fundraisers ever, called “Big Night (At The Museum)”. It will match legendary instruments with many of the legendary artists of today.
